May 2nd

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fire Blight in Apple Orchards in Illinois

Due to the moist and warm weather conditions, there is a high potential for fire blight development in orchards in Illinois. Bloom stage of apples in southern region of Illinois is already over, but apple trees in central and northern regions are from pink to full bloom stages. Also, heavy bacterial oozing on fire blight cankers was observed in the orchards during this week. These all indicate that there is a good chance for fire blight infection in the orchards in central and northern regions of the state. Applicaiton of streptomycin (Agromycin) or other effective antibacterial compounds is needed to prevent fire blight infection in the orchards. For more information on management of fire blight on apples and pears, click here, and/or here.